Assam is set to introduce proton therapy for cancer treatment with the installation of a Rs 500 crore unit at the State Cancer Institute of Gauhati Medical College Hospital (GMCH). Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced the decision on January 1, 2026, during a media interaction under the ‘Natun Diner Alap’ (Conversations of a New Day) programme.
The approval for the advanced radiation therapy equipment marks a significant expansion of cancer care infrastructure in the state, bringing precision-based treatment closer to patients and reducing the need to travel to other states.
Proton therapy, which delivers highly targeted radiation to cancerous tissue while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy cells, is currently available in India only at two private hospitals in Mumbai and Chennai. The new installation at GMCH is expected to provide access to this advanced therapy for a broader patient population and attract cancer patients from across the country, potentially boosting medical tourism in Assam.
The move aligns with the state government’s ongoing efforts to strengthen cancer care facilities, which include plans for 17 cancer hospitals, nine of which are already operational.
Assam has also been progressively adding radiological equipment to improve treatment capacity, with the proton therapy unit representing a major step in delivering state-of-the-art oncology services within the public healthcare system.
